Leptospirosis outbreak threatens Jakarta

Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Health officials have sounded a warning over the rise in Jakarta residents who have tested positive for leptospirosis- causing bacterium in flood-hit areas, which have so far claimed the lives of eight people.

The deputy head of the City Health Agency, Wandaningsih, told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday that 21 people had been diagnosed with leptospirosis, and officials were concerned about a possible outbreak of the disease in the next two months.

She said that the agency was in the process of gathering more data on the possible outbreak of leptospira interrogans, a corkscrew-shaped bacteria.

"We are still gathering data on whether there is a possible outbreak, specifically in those areas that were hit by floods. We have alerted the city's 267 community health centers on the dangers of the disease and provided them with medicine," she said.

Eight people among the 21 diagnosed with leptospirosis died within one month after the outbreak first occurred, while four are being treated at Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (RSCM) and Tarakan Hospital in Central Jakarta.

One patient, Suhandi, 41, is listed in serious condition at Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital after doctors said he was infected with the bacteria on Feb. 18. He tested positive for the bacteria on Feb. 26 after a five-day blood test was conducted.

Suhandi, who lives in Kampung Menteng Jaya in the Menteng subdistrict, has been hospitalized the longest for leptospirosis at the hospital.

A doctor asking for anonymity said leptospirosis had affected Suhandi's pancreas, causing a severe infection. He said he would consult with other doctors in divisions that specialize in tropical diseases and the digestive system.

Suhandi was brought to the community health center in his district when he showed the first signs of the disease. After there was no response from three days of treatment, he was brought by his family to Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital.

Upon arrival at the hospital, Suhandi's skin was yellow with jaundice. He also had red eyes, a high body temperature and was experiencing sharp pain in both of his calves.

The head of the City Health Agency, A.Chalik Masulili, said earlier on Tuesday that leptospirosis was spread through the urine of rats whose habitat was destroyed by the floods. The bacteria could infect anyone with open wounds who came into contact with contaminated water or garbage.

The bacteria can also enter the body when a person swallows contaminated food or water, including water swallowed during water sports.

Most of those who are infected with leptospirosis are mildly to moderately affected with symptoms that include fever, headaches, chills, nausea and vomiting, inflammation of the eyes and muscle aches. In more severe cases, the illness can result in liver damage and jaundice, kidney failure and internal bleeding.